RWC 2011: THE FINAL!!! France vs. New Zealand

[james5000]

Parra is a very very average first5, he's a halfback for not a first5's asshole. Cruden may be inexperienced but he's a much better 10 than Parra.

 

[JW.]

Parra is a very very average first5, he's a halfback for not a first5's asshole. Cruden may be inexperienced but he's a much better 10 than Parra.

Parra has actually bossed a game instead of letting everybody else take over duties. I'd do the same if I was NZ but they are protecting Cruden, whilest Parra has played a full first5 and IMO did a better job.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

What position is first-5 again? To me First-Five are the players in the front-row and second row together

 

[JW.]

What position is first-5 again? To me First-Five are the players in the front-row and second row together

Flyhalf in NZ i think, seeing he was talking about Cruden and Parra.

 

[james5000]

Parra has actually bossed a game instead of letting everybody else take over duties. I'd do the same if I was NZ but they are protecting Cruden, whilest Parra has played a full first5 and IMO did a better job.

That's plainly not true, Cruden was obviously bossing that game last night. Even still, it can be expected that they would adopt a game plain like that because he's only been with the team for a week. Cruden should have been their from the start, I honestly don't know how hardly playing a super rugby game warranted Slade selection.

Cruden is much better than Slade as a 10, I have heard Slade may have been selected because of versatility. I find that an absolute joke.

Parra's role in the French team is similar to Cruden's role any way, Yachvili takes a lot of the kicking duties off Parra.
Parra probably had his best game of the world cup against Wales I reckon, he's been pretty average the whole way through.

 

[Mr.cyclopede]

Nike adv in France:

 

[psychic duck]

the NZ pack gave Cruden an easy ride, I'm sure Parra would have looked at least as good behind that pack

 

[james5000]

In the comparison wouldn't you compare Dusatoir to McCaw?
I know they don't wear the same Jersey, but they play the same role. Pretty backward's like those Springbok's lol.

 

[james5000]

the NZ pack gave Cruden an easy ride, I'm sure Parra would have looked at least as good behind that pack

France were very dominant at set piece time, did you watch them play?
They layed a damn platform, the only difference is every time they got the ball they kicked it away.

 

[Sam Owen]

Again Im backing the All Blacks but like many here have said, you cant underestimate the French.

 

[elgringoborracho]

Strange that the french would give up their colours as they would lose out on the physchological edge but nonetheless good sportsmanship shown

Nah, when we play in white we do that:



and that



Moreover, if playing in white makes us even more underdogs, we'll play even better. And Maso's gesture is classy.

At this point of underdogitude you might as well just hand us the cup lads

 

[james5000]

Again Im backing the All Blacks but like many here have said, you cant underestimate the French.

That's up to the Player's and the Coaching staff, they can't underestimate the French.
It doesn't really matter what the media or the fan's think.

I am pretty confident that the AB's at 100% will beat the French team at 100%.

It will take some poor refereeing decision's, some luck, AB's nerves and a whole lot of French passion for the AB's to lose this weekend. I expect the TAB odd's must be paying about $1.10-$1.20 for an AB victory this weekend.

 

[Sam Owen]

That's up to the Player's and the Coaching staff, they can't underestimate the French.
It doesn't really matter what the media or the fan's think.

Yep exactly, I dont think the ABs will either well at least I hope they dont and yes had a good weekend for gambling and Im betting on the ABs once again.

 

[tbhp]

That's up to the Player's and the Coaching staff, they can't underestimate the French.
It doesn't really matter what the media or the fan's think.

I think it does matter. The more backlash they will receive from the press, and people in general, the more motivated they will be as they'll want to prove them wrong.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

team picks anyone? will they drop SBW? prob not but i cant help but think gear would be devestating off the bench, kahui an move infield to cover the centres

 

[Larksea]

for the All Blacks I don't expect any unforced changes

Weepu was obviously under the weather but should be better in w week.

Nonu looked very tender when he came off, looked like a neck injury hope it's not serious.

Kaino was also limping for the last 5min or so before it was subbed with just a couple of min to go.

I don't expect SBW to be dropped for the final, he's had a very good world cup to date. I guess that shoulder was a bit silly but it was nothing really.

Also as much as I hate to say it the little time Elis was on the field I think he confirmed himself as the current #2

 

[UilamOsa]

Start Stephen Donald.

















Just Kidding.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I will watch that 2009 match at Carisbrook to get in the mood for the final (not that it's necessary though haha)

 

[ACT1NUP]

Same lineup but Gear for SB Williams. Never rated him and still don't.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Someone was talking about Joubert not being able to be the ref for this match since he was already active in the semi's and there has never been a referee in the final who was also in the semi-final.

I have been thinking about this and checked it... In 1987, Kerry Fitzgerald was the referee in the final after he was the ref in the semi final between New Zealand and Wales